Despite substantial increases in the scope and magnitude of biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration, there remains ongoing degradation of natural resources that adversely affects both biodiversity and human well-being. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can be an effective framework for reversing this trend, by increasing the alignment between conservation and sustainable development objectives.

Climate Risk Assessment for Ecosystem-based Adaptation – a guidebook for planners and practitioners

A guidebook developed by GIZ in collaboration with Eurac Research and United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) helps planners and practitioners in designing and implementing climate risk assessments in the context of Ecosystem-based Adaptation projects. It provides a standardized approach to assess risks within social-ecological systems based on two application examples (river basin and coastal zone management) by following the methodology of the GIZ vulnerability sourcebook (GIZ 2014) and its Risk Supplement (GIZ and Eurac 2017). It helps to improve adaptation planning by considering both ecosystem-based and conventional options in the form of integrated ‘adaptation packages’.

This publication documents the importance of biodiversity in disaster risk reduction and makes a case for the implementation of integrated approaches that benefit both biodiversity conservation and risk reduction. Building up on regional experiences on Eco-DRR, the report also highlights the opportunities and entry-points to scale-up integrated approaches in 6 regions.

Mountain ecosystem services and climate change: a global overview of potential threats and strategies for adaptation

Egan, Paul A., Price, Martin F.

Mountains provide vital resources to a significant proportion of the global population, particularly as the ‘water towers’ of the world, and as a result of their high biological diversity at genetic, species and ecosystem levels. As well as benefiting people and industries in lowland areas, these ecosystem services (ES) form the basis of most mountain livelihoods.

Nature-based solutions to address global societal challenges

Cohen-Shacham, E. Janzen, C. Maginnis, Stewart Walters, Gretchen

This report has been prepared as part of an effort by IUCN to define its position on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and plan for future work to advance this concept and support effective implementation of NbS to enhance ecosystem services provision and address societal challenges. The report proposes a definitional framework for NbS, including a set of general principles for any NbS intervention. The report also defines the scope of NbS as an umbrella concept embracing a number of different ecosystem-based approaches.

Principles and Guidelines for Integrating Ecosystem-based Approaches to Adaptation in Project and Policy Design

Ecosystem-based approaches to reduce social vulnerability are a promising option for sustainable and e cient adaptation to climate change. Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) is part of overall adaptation, and takes into account multiple social, economic and cultural co-bene ts for local communities. EbA encompasses adaptation policies and measures that take into account the role of ecosystem services in reducing societal vulnerability, through multi-sectoral and multi-level approaches.

Technical guidelines for the design and management of participatory connectivity conservation and restoration projects at the landscape scale in Latin America

Herrera Fernández, Bernal

This document recounts the authors’ experience in participatory conservation processes that seek terrestrial biodiversity connectivity. It synthesizes at least a decade of research and practice. Its documentation of this experience hopefully can contribute to the conservation and restoration of ecological connectivity in other parts of Latin America and the world.

Wallowa County, Oregon, USA: Restoration of Forest Systems and Rural Livelihoods: A Partial Resilience Assessment of a Work in progress

Christoffersen, Nils Jones, Mike​

This report has been prepared as part of an effort by IUCN to define its position on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and plan for future work to advance this concept and support effective implementation of NbS to enhance ecosystem services provision and address societal challenges. The report proposes a definitional framework for NbS, including a set of general principles for any NbS intervention. The report also defines the scope of NbS as an umbrella concept embracing a number of different ecosystem-based approaches.

Water in drylands

This study presents some lessons from a selection of IUCN interventions in dryland areas that have adapted to a greater or lesser extent to the conditions of drylands, notably focusing on water management to deal with scarcity and variability. The study is intended as a means of capturing lessons learned from these interventions on the challenges and opportunities for improving water development in drylands. It is primarily a learning document compiled by the IUCN Secretariat, with technical advice from the Dryland Ecosystems Thematic Group of the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management. The document will also be shared with IUCN members and partners to catalyse deeper thinking and more effective action on water interventions in drylands as a first step in establishing improved systematic approaches and tools for influencing policy and investment regarding water management in drylands.